OBJECTIVES: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy characterized by extensive patient and treatment heterogeneity. Comprehensively identifying the most prevalent diagnoses in patients with MM is a requisite step toward informing optimal care and future research. This study aims to describe the most prevalent comorbidities and disease-related conditions experienced in heavily pre-treated patients with MM.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted using payer claims from Healthcare Integrated Research Database^® from 1/1/2006 to 3/31/2023. Eligible patients had ≥2 diagnoses of MM, received ≥5 lines of therapy (LOT), and were triple-class exposed (defined as having received a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody). Patients were indexed on the initiation of the earliest LOT meeting eligibility between 1/1/2016 and 9/30/2022. The top diagnoses, separated by comorbidities and MM-related conditions, were described during the 12-month continuous enrollment period before index using the Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR) Categories.

RESULTS: A total of 248 patients were included. The median age was 64.0 years with 17.3% of patients ≥ 75 years old; 52.4% male, 56.0% White, and 84.7% had commercial insurance. The population was well distributed across US regions. Among patients with ECOG status data (157/248), 13.4% had an ECOG ≥ 2. The median Quan–Charlson comorbidity index (excluding MM) was 2.0 (range 0.8– 4.0).

The most prevalent comorbidities included hypertension (62.5%), dyslipidemia (40.7%), chronic kidney disease (31.1%), osteoarthritis (27.0%), and type 2 diabetes (26.6%).

The most prevalent disease-related conditions included musculoskeletal pain (64.5%), anemia (57.7%), malaise and fatigue (52.0%), fluid and electrolyte disorder (46.8%), polyneuropathies (36.7%), and nausea/vomiting (29.0%).

CONCLUSIONS: This study systematically summarized the fundamental epidemiology data on prevalent comorbidities and disease-related conditions experienced in a heavily pre-treated population with MM. The results will inform future research for better baseline characteristics reporting to reduce confounding biases, and support care management to improve patient outcomes.